Thenmala eco tourism

Thenmala is the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. The Thenmala Dam is a popular ecotourism destination in Kerala. The Dam, which impounds the largest reservoir in the state which was built under the Kallada Irrigation and Tree Crop development project. The construction of the Parappar Dam across the confluence of the Chenduruney, Kazhuthurutty and Kulathupuzha rivers has resulted in the creation of a beautiful artificial lake of about 26 Sq. Km. which spreads along the middle of the Chenduruny Wildlife sanctuary. It is the second largest irrigation project in Kerala and its waters are now used for power generation.

The Dam and its surroundings is a popular picnic spot. You can do boating in the reservoir, surrounded by the verdant beauty around you. You can buy your tickets at the eco-tourism center. A battery-powered van takes you to the boarding point. It is a pleasant experience to sail down the long reservoir surrounded by the woods of the Chenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary on both sides of the reservoir.

Thenmala attracts foreign and domestic tourists with a host of attractions. Boating on the lake, a rope bridge, trekking, mountaineering, biking and a musical fountain Thenmala is approachable both from Trivandrum and Punalur by road. The Nearest railway station is Punalur. Kollam-QLN is better connected nationally. The waterfall called is a prime attraction nearby. Also nearby is a deer rehabilitation center where visitors can see deer in a forest setting and have a peep into a traditional used by forest dwellers to escape harm from wild animals.

Jadayupara (Jadayu Rock)

It is located in Chatatayamangalam in Kollam district where the mythical Jatayu is said to have fallen from the sky. The nature park is about to throw its gates open to visitors next year with a collection of sights and adventure games to relish.

The park houses the mythical bird Jatayu’s sculpture atop a hill, the largest bird sculpture in the world, standing at 200 feet long, 150 feet broad and 70 feet in height. The statue also houses a unique digital museum, a 6D theatre and a lot of exclusive technological wonders.The sculpture is said to be placed at the spot where Jatayu landed.Speculated to be the spot where Jatayu fell from the skies after his battle with Raavan, there is a huge rock mound at the park where the statue sits, re-enacting the epic scene.

more attractions:

Jatayu Nature park Passenger Ropeway

Walkway

HeliTaxi, Jatayu Nature park

Ayurvedic cave resorts at Jatayu Nature Park

Athirappilly Falls

Athirappilly Falls the most famous waterfalls of Kerala, Athirappalli and Vazhachal are situated at Athirappilly Thaluk in Thrissur district of Kerala, India on the Chalakudy River, At the entrance to the Sholayar ranges is the largest waterfall in Kerala, Athirapally, which stands tall at 80 feet. Just a short drive from Athirapally, the Vazhachal waterfall is close to dense green forests that are home to many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.

There is another waterfall on the way from Athirappilly to Vazhachal Falls, in close proximity to the road and is locally called Charpa Falls. Athirappilly Falls is the largest waterfall in Kerala and is nicknamed “The Niagara of India”.

Forest wildlife in the area includes theAsiatic elephant, tiger , leopard bison, sambar, and lion-tailed macaque. The unique 180 metres (590 ft) elevation riparian forest in the Athirappilly-Vazhachal area is the only location where all four South Indian species of hornbills — the great hornbill (the state bird of Kerala),Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill, and the Indian grey hornbill are found living together. If the proposed 163-MW Athirappilly hydroelectric project is built, these unique birds may vanish from these forests because it will submerge the hornbills’ habitat.The river provides habitat for 85 species of fresh water fishes. Among these, 35 are endemic species.

Daily jungle safari trips are organized by Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council with Ayyampuzha Panchayat through Ayyampuzha forest and Thrissur District Tourism Promotion Council with Athirappilly Destination Management Counci from Chalakudy to Malakkappara.

The railway station nearest Athirappilly Falls is 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the west in Chalakudi Railway Station, and the nearest airport is Kochi International Airport, about 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of the waterfall and 58 kilometres (36 mi) south of City of Thrissur. Athirappilly is easily reachable from Angamaly andChalakudy by taxi or by bus .

The journey from Chalakudy to the Athirappilly Falls passes through a landscape of winding roads, small villages and lush green trees. Visitors can reach the top of the waterfall via a paved path that leads through thick bamboo clusters. A steep narrow path also leads to the bottom of the falls. The falls attract visitors from across India, especially during the monsoon months . About 7 million tourists visit the falls and the Vazhachal picnic spot each year.

Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum(Anglicised name), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram Zoo

The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo (also known as Trivandrum Zoo) is located in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, India. It occupies 55 acres (22 ha) of woodland, lakes, and lawns. It is the oldest zoo in India and .

The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is home to 82 species from around the world. Indigenous species at the zoo include lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic lion, royal Bengal tiger, white tiger and leopard, as well a nine Asian elephants. Animals from Africa include giraffes, hippos,zebras, and Cape buffalos.

The zoo also includes a snake farm called The Reptile House, which exhibits both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes and also have 7 Anacondas.

Napier Museum

The Napier Museum is an art and natural history museum situated in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital city of Kerala,India

The museum houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. It also contains the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, which contains works from Raja Ravi Varma and Nicholas Roerich, as well as examples of Mughal and Tanjore art.

The Museum grounds also hold a Zoological garden, which is one of the oldest in India. This Zoo was established in 1857 and is spread over 55 acres (220,000 m2) of land.A visit to the Napier Museum complex reveals a glimpse of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. An exceptional piece of architecture, the Museum is named after the former Madras Governor General, John Napier. The Napier Museum is also called the Government Art Museum. The Museum building is a combination of the Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian architectural styles.